Stop milking Nigeria like a cow, it will soon dry up – Obi of Onitsha tells politicians

The Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, has urged Nigeria’s political leaders to prioritize public interest over personal gains to ensure the country’s growth and sustainability. 

Speaking at the public presentation of an autobiography by Senator Chris Anyanwu, in Abuja, the Obi warned against the pervasive corruption likened to overmilking a cow without replenishing it.

“Should we continue milking the cow, it will die. In this country, since independence, we’ve been talking and talking and talking and talking and talking. I think it’s time we begin to think about doing something because we have two alternatives. Keep milking the cow until it dies because of our sectional interests, which we tend to protect, and our personal interests. People go into public service, not to serve the public, but to serve their interests,” the monarch stated. “Either we keep doing that and milk the cow to death, or we do the opposite and place Nigeria above everything else. And I would like to add that time is not too much in our favour. It’s either we milk the cow to death very, very fast, or we can turn around the country very, very fast.”

The event drew prominent figures, including representatives for President Bola Tinubu, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, and other dignitaries such as former governors Chris Ngige and Peter Obi, alongside traditional rulers and political leaders. Discussions centered on Nigeria’s governance and systemic challenges.